As you likely know by now, I wrote a book about Connor Bedard‘s rookie season that’s coming out in the middle of the season (pre-order your copies now!). While I was working on it, one of the things that impressed me about the teenager was the way he seemed to keep his focus on the game. My grandpa used to say “keep the main thing the main thing” and Bedard was able to do a pretty remarkable job of practicing that mindset. So I enjoyed this feature from Ben Pope for the Chicago Sun-Times yesterday about Bedard’s ability to keep his focus on the ice. Good read.
- At The Athletic, Scott Powers identified ten (10) Blackhawks prospects who could ultimately become top-six forwards for the team. Obviously there are only five spots available long-term with Bedard being cemented on the top line for hopefully the rest of his career. But who’s going to surround him? Right now, Teuvo Teräväinen is doing a great job with 98. And the Blackhawks signed Tyler Bertuzzi to be part of that mix as well. But, with all of the picks the Blackhawks have had in the last three drafts, does anyone in the next generation project into an impact role?
- One thing I will note looking at Scott’s list is how the Blackhawks ultimately sort out the second line center spot will be a huge factor. If one of Sacha Boisvert or AJ Spellacy can eventually become a dynamic, playmaking pivot with some size and that moves both Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore to the wing — where they’ll compete with the likes of Marek Vanacker and Nick Lardis, among others — the entire proposition up front becomes more intriguing. The good news: Powers makes a good case for all ten guys to have a shot at finding a role in the top six… which means the Blackhawks have enough in the pipeline to build with soon.
- When you look at that list of prospects who could be in the top six at some point down the road, they all share a number of attributes in common. The most prevalent of those skills is blazing speed — which is not something the organization necessarily prioritized when they built the current roster. I wrote about the paradox of building a roster that plays the game the right, winning way and the fact that the organization is self aware enough to recognize this is not a “fast” team.
- I’ve shared a few times in this space the pending seismic shift coming to the structure of developmental hockey leagues on North America as the CHL and NCAA sort out their differences. When the NCAA ditches their block of CHL prospects making their way to the college ranks, there are going to be structural changes to the development ladder for the NHL. When I saw this tweet this morning, I was clearly both excited by and fascinated at the implications:
- I think many of us would have loved the opportunity to have Kevin Korchinski in the AHL at some point last year, even if the roster falling apart because of injuries likely would have forced him into more NHL service time than most preferred. But, looking ahead, there are going to be prospects who show well enough in training camp that organizations would probably love to have a chance to see them in the AHL sooner than their age-20 season. Guys like Nick Lardis have dominated the junior ranks to a degree that playing at a pro level might make sense at 19. AJ Spellacy might be a guy the Blackhawks would love to have in a professional environment next year. Unfortunately the next CBA negotiation is after it would impact either of those prospects, but the future implications of a change like this is terrific… unless you’re a CHL fan.
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- The baseball world is getting the dream World Series matchup: Dodgers vs. Yankees. Even Derek Jeter said after LA clinched last night that he always wanted a shot at an LA-NY Series. And they haven’t played each other in the World Series since 1981!
- It sounds like a couple Bears might be drawing some trade interest.
- The Bulls roster appears to be set as they get ready to start their 2024-25 season this week.